For many of us, one of our goals in life is to have perfect, ageless skin. We often see our favourite celebrities looking absolutely flawless and clearly defying their age. As consumers we can’t help but ask ourselves, ‘how do they manage that?!’. Time and time again, the answer to this question is a skincare routine. Not just any skincare routine though, one full of pricey products, lifetime commitment and magical secrets. Because of this, we’ve been lead to believe that a skin care routine is difficult, time consuming and costly. Besides all of those things, we often don’t see the exact same results of our influencer even when we do invest.
Due to common interest, skincare routines have been studied. In fact, Rodan and her colleagues found in their 2016 study that a good skincare routine can have a long-term impact on the overall appearance and quality of a person’s skin. By contrast though, a 2014 study by Draelos claimed that a skincare routine could help or hinder overall appearance and quality of complexion. Draelos eluded to the fact that artificial products, chemicals and over cleansing can effect the skin negatively. What these studies both agreed on though, was the importance of using the right products for your skin type.
Learning your skin type is the equivalent of opening the chamber of secrets. It will save you the guess work and the money on ‘trying things out’. There are 5 common skin types: dry, sensitive, oily, combination and normal. It is also important to note here that skin types can change; with seasons, age, hormones, stress levels and diet. If you’re unsure about your skin type; check out my post: My Top Tips for Determining Skin Type
A basic skincare routine would consist of:
- cleansing 1-2 times, daily
- toning following every cleanse
- moisturising after every cleanse
- exfoliating 1-2 times per week
- mask 1-2 times per week
When considering a new skincare routine, here are some tips regardless of your skin type;
Cleansing: avoid artificial foaming agents in cleansers as these tend to over cleanse the skin causing either dry, irritated skin or an over production of sebum resulting in a breakout. Opt for oil base cleansers or milk cleansers; these will remove dirt, impurities and excess oils without stripping the skin.
Toning: after cleansing, skin must be rebalanced and nourished as well as moisturised. Using an all-natural, oil and alcohol-free toner will help to purify and rebalance the skin post-cleansing without drying it out.
Moisturising: During the day it is ideal to use a moisturiser that has an SPF rating. UVA and UBA rays from the sun have been known to accelerate the signs of ageing, so protecting your skin can help defy your age (Jennifer Aniston style!). Night time moisturisers should assist your skin in recovery - vitamin E is great for this, so is jojoba and rosehip oil!
Exfoliating: exfoliation is an important step in a skincare routine. Although the skin does regenerate itself every 28-40 days, regular exfoliation can speed up this process and may assist the skin in healing quicker.
Mask: Clays are a good option for natural masks, however, it’s important to remember that each clay has different properties. For example, pink clay is less drying, so would better suit normal or sensitive skin types, whereas green clay, which is more drying, would better suit an oily skin type. Regardless of what type of clay you pick though, you need to be aware that most clay masks will cause some level of tingling, which is normal, but if it becomes painful, remove it. It is also commonly believed that clay masks must stay on until they crack, but this can cause the skin to dry out too much. If you’re opting for cleansing, rejuvenation and moisturising, keep in mind that you can still reap the benefits of clay without letting it dry all the way out - removing it while it’s still tacky is ok!
Take home message: Get to know your skin and learn if it changes and why. Be willing to adjust your skincare routine accordingly. Also remember: Natural is best!
If you would like any help choosing a skincare routine, please reach out!
- Elliza
Sources:
Draelos, Z. D. 2014. ‘Facial skin care products and cosmetics’. Clinics in Dermatology. vol 32, iss. 6, pp. 809-812.
Rodan, K., K. Fields, G. Majewski, & T. Falla. 2016. ‘Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare’. International Open Access Journal of American Society of Plastic Surgeons. vol. 4, iss. 12.